Foot impellent toy

ABSTRACT

A unitary toy to be repeatedly kicked to keep the toy in play and away from play-ending ground contact, said toy having a plurality of flexible strands disposed in a circular pattern with their outer ends substantially coterminous, and their inner ends tightly bunched between two parts of an elastomer kicking center. The kicking center is weighted to provide desired flight of the toy during repeated kicking, and the strands have inherent strength sufficient to maintain a pattern of circular plane without collapsing due to gravity.

United States Patent [1 1 Mroz 1 Sept. 18, 1973 FOOT IMPELLENT TOY FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS "Wanton John Mm, 623 N5 2nd 763,695 5/1934 France 273/58 R Hallandale, Fla. 33009 [22] Filed: Oct. 13, 1971 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Paul E. Shapiro App! 188302 Attorney-Dominik, Knechtel and Godula [52] US. Cl. 273/106 B, 273/58 A, 273/58 K [51] Int. Cl A63b 65/10 [57] ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 273/106 R, 106 B, A unitary toy to be repeatedly kicked to keep the toy 273/58; 15/181, 179 in play and away from play-ending ground contact, said toy having a plurality of flexible strands disposed in a [56] References Cited circular pattern with their outer ends substantially co- UNITED STATES PATENTS terminous, and their inner ends tightly bunched between two parts of an elastomer kicking center. The 22 5 5; kicking center is weighted to provide desired flight of 2:172:433 9/1939 i' 15/181 X the toy during repeated kicking, and the strands have 365,093 9/|9Q7 Gaudmn; 15/181 inherent strength sufficient to maintain a pattern of cir- 649,290 5/1900 Famham 15/181 cular plane without collapsing dueto gravity. 260,336 6/1882 Thayer 15/179 x 713,080 11/1902 Farnham 15/181 6 Claims, 4 Flames FOOT IMPELLENT TOY This invention relates to a toy used' in an advantageous way by being kept in play through impelled floating movements following applicationof force from the foot. This invention particularly relates to a disc-like body with structuralfeatures which allows such toy to be keptcontinuously'in play following exercise of modest levels of skill required for the repeatedkicking action.

Various types of toys and amusement devices have been know to serve as missiles in somewhat of a floating movement following application of force, such as from a striking element or from a throwing movement. Generally, such devices are provided with feathers to obtaina floating movement, such as in the well known shuttlecocks. Understandably, such shuttlecocks can be struck in only one place, usually the cork head or body; and such cork can be struck only from one direc tion since the feathers extend in fixed relationshipfrom the other direction. It is also evident that such shuttlecocks are designed for a particular type of play, namely, between two participants who additionally use racquets or bats to propel the shuttlecock between them.

An amusement device which features the floating movement of a shuttlecock, butwhick can be used in markedly different ways to attain high levels of amusement would be highly desirable. In particular, a device of this type which lends itself to advantageous use by a single player would be highly desirable, even though the amusement device would be susceptible for use with two or more players. In addition, it will be appreciated that a device of this type designed particularly tobe propelled by the force of the foot would lead to new ways of realizing enjoyment in' play. In particular, it is desirable to provide an amusement device which can be repeatedly contacted with the foot from any direction to keep such device in play in a desired floating movement.

It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide an amusement device having the desired features noted above. An added feature of this object is to provide such a device which can be economically and quickly manufactured, and which retains its structural features to assure the 'desired functional operation of the unit over extended periods of time and following extended use in play.

Yet another feature of this object is to provide such an amusement device in which flexible strands are advantageously used to provide a floating movement to the device following its impelled movement. It is an important feature that such flexible strands have a memory so they substantially resume their shape following collapse after forcible contact with the foot. Another important feature of this object is to provide an amusement device of the type described in which components are uniquely combined to attain desired goals in play involving kicking the device, floating the device, allowing the device to return for succeeding kicks to be kept in play, and having such device to hold up under continued playing.

The objects with the features enumerated, together with still other features and objects which will occur to practitioners from the use of the invention, are attained by the device which will now be disclosed in detail in the following disclosure, including drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the amusementdevice embodying features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1..

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line 3-3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is asectional view similar to that of FIG. 3, showing an alternative embodiment.

The use of the same numerals in the various views of the drawings will represent a reference to like structures, parts, or elements, as the case may be.

The amusement device is seen to have a disc-like body in whicha plurality of flexible strands assume a circular pattern 6. An outer end 8'of a single flexible strandis indicated, as well as the outer end 10 of another strand disposed substantially diametrically opposite to strand with outer end 8. A sufficient number of such flexible strands are provided in sufficiently mutually dense relationship so that the circular pattern or disc 6 presents a substantially continuous circular plane.

The individual flexible strands have a central strand portion, collectively shown at 12. The central strand portion may be bunched or grouped inner ends 13 of the individual flexible strand; or it may be the central unbroken portion of a continuous length of strands, each of which is definedby respective outer ends 8, 10. It is seen that the grouped outer ends of the strands are substantially coterminous, and define a thick circumferential edge 14.

The plurality of strands flare outwardly towards the circumferential edge 14 from the narrowed central portion 12 wherein such strands are tightly bunched together. The tightly-bunched strands are held in a fixed position by a two part elastomeric kicking center, shown generally as 16.

The kicking center of FIG. 3 is shown as having two like parts, each of which is a flat disc elastomer 18. Each flat disc elastomer has a flat top 19, and an opposite, substantially flat bottom bonding face 20. In the preferred embodiment, a bonding material, not shown, fixes the. flat bottom 20 of each part 18 to the tightly bunched central strand portion or portions 12.

The flat bottom of each elastomeric disc part is shown with a recessed weight chamber 22 in which is deposited a weight element 24 which is enclosed by the kicking center. The weight element, such as a lead slug, or disc, is of sufficient weight to impart desired flight movement to the device from the force imparted by the foot in expected use during play. In ordinary play, the weight element provides sufficient weight to the entire device so that it can lead to a good feel" by the foot as it is contacted and impelled into the air. The weight element will also tend to better define the center of gravity of the device so that it tends to fall in a position where the foot is more likely to contact the kicking center, rather than the circumferential edge 14 of the flexible strands.

The alternative. embodiment of FIG. 4 shows the kicking center as having two elastomeric disc parts 26,27. Each of these disc parts has a spherical top .as distinguished from the fiat top shown in FIG. 3. Each disc part also has an opposite flat bottom or bonding face 28, 29. The flat bottoms 28, 29 may be bonded to the central portion 12 of the flexible strands, or bonding material may be omitted as a result of the clamping means shown in this embodiment.

but

Elastomeric disc part 27 is shown with a recessed weight chamber 30. An annular or collar weight 31 is shown positioned in the weight chamber. It is seen that the inner ends of the strands of the central portion 12 are captured between the continuous walls of the collar weight and the continuous wall of the weight chamber 30. Elastomeric disc part 26 has a locking stub 32 which is dimensioned to frictionally engage the inside continuous walls of the collar weight 30 in clamped and secured position.

The amusement device shown herein may be constructed in a variety of ways, but certain features relating to materials and dimensions are highly desirable for best performance of the unit. It is preferred that the kickingcenter have a flat top as shown in FIG. 3. This lends itself to better foot contact. lt is preferred that the kicking center be a disc shape, and have a diameter from about one inch to about two inches. It hasbeen found that the diameter of the entire toy, as defined by the outer ends of diametrically opposite strands, be greater than four inches but less than six inches. The foregoing relative dimensions of the kicking center and the toy, as a whole, has been found to lead to the best operation of the device in play, particularly from the point of view of repeated foot contact, the distance the device is impelled by a kicking force encountered in ordinary use, and the floating or return movement of the device towards the foot.

The weight element in a device of the foregoing dimen'sions should have a weight from about one ounce to two ounces. The height of the disc parts should be at least 3/16 inch and no more than about one-half inch. A particularly preferred dimension is about onefourth inch measured between opposite flat bottoms and tops as in FIG. 3, or between the flat bottoms and the highest point of the spherical top as measured in FIG. 4.

The flexible strand has the required inherent strength sufficient to maintain said strands in a circular pattern to resist the pull of gravity. It is particularly preferred that such strands be wool yarn closely positioned together so a relatively continuous circular, planar car pet" of yarn is formed. The size of individual wool strands have been found to be highly suitable to obtain a successful toy when grouped together as described. Such strands have sufficient rigidity to retain the circular planar pattern, and such wool yarn also has the desired memory" to resume its circular pattern following collapse by contact with the foot or the like. The wool yard is of the dimension conventionally obtain for use in knitting.

The claims of the invention are now presented.

What is claimed is:

l. A toy of a disc-like body adapted to be impelled by the force of the foot, including a two-part elastomeric kicking center,

a plurality of flexible strands radiating outwardly from said kicking center, said strands having sufficient inherent rigidity to retain the pattern of a circular plane against the pull of gravity, all of such strands being commonly held between the two-part elastomeric kicking center, said plurality of radiating strands being sufficiently bunched in mutually dense relationship so as to define a substantially continuous circular pattern and a weight element smaller than the kicking center and positioned between said two-part elastomeric kicking center so that said weight is enclosed by said kicking center, said element having sufficient weight to impart desired flight movement from the force imparted by the foot in expected use during play, and to be again contacted by the force of the foot in repeated play.

2. A toy ofa disc-like body as in claim I, wherein said flexible strands are wool yarn, the outer ends of said plurality of wool yarn being substantially coterminous to define a thick circumferential edge, and the inner ends are tightly bunched and held between said twopart elastomeric kicking center.

3. A toy of a disc-like body as in claim 1, wherein each part of the elastomeric kicking center is a flat top disc, and wherein a substantially flat bottom of each part is bonded to the tightly bunched strands fixed between the parts.

4. A toy of a disc-like body as in claim 3, wherein a weight chamber is present in at least one of the bottoms of said two parts, and wherein said weight element is positioned within said weight chamber.

5. A toy of a disc-like body as in claim 1, wherein each of the two parts of said elastomeric kicking center is a spherical disc, and wherein substantially flat bottom portions of said parts are bonded to the strands.

6. A toy of a disc-like body as in claim 5, wherein the bottom of one of said parts is a weight chamber, an annular weight element being deposited in said chamber, and wherein the bottom of the other of said parts has an integral stub extension which frictionally fits within said annular weight element, and wherein the inner ends of the flexible strands are captured between a continuous wall of the weight chamber and the annular weight element.

* t t i 

1. A toy of a disc-like body adapted to be impelled by the force of the foot, including a two-part elastomeric kicking center, a plurality of flexible strands radiating outwardly from said kicking center, said strands having sufficient inherent rigidity to retain the pattern of a circular plane against the pull of gravity, all of such strands being commonly held between the two-part elastomeric kicking center, said plurality of radiating strands being sufficiently bunched in mutually dense relationship so as to define a substantially continuous circular pattern and a weight element smaller than the kicking center and positioned between said two-part elastomeric kicking center so that said weight is enclosed by said kicking center, said element having sufficient weight to impart desired flight movement from the force imparted by the foot in expected use during play, and to be again contacted by the force of the foot in repeated play.
 2. A toy of a disc-like body as in claim 1, wherein said flexible strands are wool yarn, the outer ends of said plurality of wool yarn being substantially coterminous to define a thick circumferential edge, and the inner ends are tightly bunched and held between said two-part elastomeric kicking center.
 3. A toy of a disc-like body as in claim 1, wherein each part of the elastomeric kicking center is a flat top disc, and wherein A substantially flat bottom of each part is bonded to the tightly bunched strands fixed between the parts.
 4. A toy of a disc-like body as in claim 3, wherein a weight chamber is present in at least one of the bottoms of said two parts, and wherein said weight element is positioned within said weight chamber.
 5. A toy of a disc-like body as in claim 1, wherein each of the two parts of said elastomeric kicking center is a spherical disc, and wherein substantially flat bottom portions of said parts are bonded to the strands.
 6. A toy of a disc-like body as in claim 5, wherein the bottom of one of said parts is a weight chamber, an annular weight element being deposited in said chamber, and wherein the bottom of the other of said parts has an integral stub extension which frictionally fits within said annular weight element, and wherein the inner ends of the flexible strands are captured between a continuous wall of the weight chamber and the annular weight element. 